PRODUCTION
NIGHTSWIM / WILDSIDE / THIS AND THAT / ANTITALENT
DISTRIBUTION
FANDANGO
INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION
M-APPEAL
PRODUCERS
Ines Vasiljević, Stefano Sardo, Sonia Rovai
Ludovica Damiani, Snežana van Houwelingen, Katarina Prpić, Danijel Pek
GENRE
Drama
RUNNING TIME
81 min
COUNTRY
Italy, Serbia, Croatia
BALCANICA
Nicola Sorcinelli
SYNOPSIS
Music has been banned in Afghanistan. A conductor and his tuba-playing son set out to find a new beginning along the Balkan route. During their endless flight, their fate becomes intertwined with that of a young Italian doctor. An encounter that will change the lives of the two refugees and the young woman.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
My grandmother fought for freedom in the 1940s, and stories of freedom denied have occupied my thoughts ever since.
Balcanica tells the story of Nazar and Jalil, an Afghan father and son who are both musicians, while also incorporating the Western perspective of Greta.
The body is a fundamental element of the film. It is the only means they have to undertake the journey: walking, resisting the cold, the heat and fear. As they cross borders, the body becomes the custodian of violence, abuse and rejection. Every stage of the journey is inscribed on the skin.
Original title:
Balcanica
International title:
Balcanica
Directed by:
Nicola Sorcinelli
Cast:
Matilda De Angelis, Babak Karimi, Ivar Wafaei, Giovanni Toscano
Screenplay:
Andrea Brusa, Nicola Sorcinelli
Cinematography:
Damjan Radovanović
Editing:
Ian Degrassi
Production design:
Dragana Baćović
Costumes:
Maria Letizia Della Felice
Music:
Michele Braga
Producers:
Ines Vasijlević, Stefano Sardo, Sonia Rovai, Ludovica Damiani, Snežana van Houwelingen, Katarina Prpić, Danijel Pek
Prodution:
Nightswim, Wildside, This and That Productions, Antitalent
in associazione con Nieminem Film, M74
con il contributo del Ministero della Cultura
con il sostegno di Film Center Serbia
Distribution:
Fandango [Italia]
International sales:
M-appeal [Internazionale]
Country:
Italy, Serbia, Croatia
Anno:
2026
Running Time:
81'
Format:
Colore
Release date:
8/10/2026
Awards and Festivals:
Venice Biennale 2026: Giornate degli Autori – Official Selection, In Competition – Audience Award, Carlo Lizzani Award
Festival do Rio 2026: Expectations